- Bike seats haven't changed much since the invention of the bicycle in the 19th century. The bicycle seat, or saddle, was first made of wood. According to seat makers Brooks England, their company's founder created the first comfortable bike seat in 1865. John Brook's father was a saddle maker (for horses) and with his help Brook's developed a leather bike seat.
- The bike seat is perhaps the most important part of the bicycle. A well-fitted seat will determine the comfort of your ride. Your style of riding determines the type of seat you will need.
- Racing seats are narrow, so that the seat does not interfere with the quick motion of your legs. Racers tend to lean forward as they ride, placing less weight on the seat. Comfort seats have a large padded seating area. These are designed for slower riders who put more weight on the seat, peddle slowly and sit upright on the bike. Gel seats have extra padding and are good for casual riders. Cutaway seats have a hole along the center of the seat to eliminate pressure points. Many female-specific seats have cutaways.
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Bike seats are often uncomfortable because the rider is not in shape for bike riding. The best solution for an uncomfortable seat is more miles on the bike. Many riders find that their bike seat has become irritating after a long winter layoff from bike riding.
Take several short rides and build up your endurance to improve the comfort of your seat. - An uncomfortable seat could be improved by adjusting it properly. First look at the height of your seat. Many people set their seats too low--if your knees bend a lot, your seat may be too low. If the seat is too low you will put more weight on your rear end and not on your legs, where it belongs. Seats angles can also be adjusted. Most riders are comfortable with a horizontal placement, but the seat can be tipped up or down. Men may prefer to tip the seat so the front is higher, while women may like to have the front pointing down.
